Russia bans imports of alcohol from neighbours

Russia has launched a "wine war" on Georgia and Moldova in the latest sign of political sour grapes in the former Soviet Union. Moscow has banned alcohol imports from its two southern neighbours, claiming impurities in the drinks posed a threat to public health. But the embargo has a political undercurrent because of worsening relations with both countries.

Georgia and Moldova are struggling with poverty and rely on exports of cheap wine and cognac to Russia to keep their economies moving. They say there is no health risk from the drinks.

Moscow's relations with Tbilisi deteriorated after rows over Russian troops on Georgian soil and the Kremlin's support for Georgia's breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia is angry at Moldova for imposing an economic blockade on Trans-Dniester, its pro-Russian separatist territory.

The Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, has condemned the ban as "the biggest abomination they could have done against us" and promised to seek new markets. "I have the impression Georgian wine is being punished because of our freedom and democratic aspirations," he said. Alcohol is Georgia's second biggest export and about 70% of its wines are sold to Russia. An estimated 40m bottles are in storehouses and 300 train carriages of alcohol are at the border awaiting customs clearance.

On Tuesday, the parliamentary Speaker, Nino Burjanadze, suggested the dispute might force Georgia to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States, the alliance of former Soviet states. Moscow denies any political undercurrent to the ban. The agriculture minister, Alexei Gordeyev, said Russia wanted to "restore order on the market so that people no longer get poisoned and companies stop cashing in on our citizens' health".

The blockade began when Russia's chief sanitary doctor asked customs to stop imports because tests showed pesticides in the imported drinks. But Vladimir Nuzhny, a toxicologist, said up to half of imported wine has not corresponded to the required quality since the fall of the Soviet Union. "It never killed anyone and Russian leadership used to turn a blind eye, but now relations are worsening with the Georgian and Moldovan leaders they don't see a need to ignore it any more," he said.